Application-specific Microcontrollers (MCUs) are specific types of Microcontrollers used primarily for the processing of data in a single device.

Unlike a typical Microcontroller, it works extensively to combine as many resources as possible in the target device or application. These resources range from peripherals like UARTs, clocks and converters; the main processing unit, a Microcontroller (MCU); and different memory types, such as RAM, EEPROM, ROM and Flash.

Today, we discuss the CYUSB3014-BZXC application-specific Microcontroller with a special focus on the features.

How Does CYUSB3014-BZXC Work?

It is an application-specific Microcontroller, meaning that the use case is mostly for specified applications or devices. In this case, it is used with most consumer electronics, such as data acquisition devices, digital cameras and printers. It is also used with data loggers, scanners, industrial cameras, surveillance cameras, digital still cameras.

Important Information about the Series and Application

CYUSB3014-BZXC belongs to the EZ-USB FX3 series of application-specific Microcontrollers (MCUs) by Infineon Technologies. It then supports the SuperSpeed USB Peripheral Controller, which doubles as the primary architecture.

Making the most out of the SuperSpeed USB Peripheral Controller involves the use of the EZ-USB FX3 Software Development Kit (SDK). Through this SDK, it becomes possible to maximize all that the controller has to offer.

Support for Multiple Interfaces

Besides the support for several peripherals, CYUSB3014-BZXC also supports multiple interfaces. The most popular ones are the JTAG Interface and the Slave FIFO Interface. The others are the UART Interface, the SPI Interface and the I²C Interfaces.

Below is a breakdown of how each of those interface work:

1. JTAG Interface

This is the interface used for connecting CYUSB3014-BZXC to the JTAG Debugger. It comprises standard five-pin interfaces, which are used for debugging firmware via the core on-chip-debug circuitry of CYUSB3014-BZXC’s Central Processing Unit (CPU).

2. I²C Interface

This interface is not just compatible with the I²C Bus Specification Revision 3. It is also ideal when connecting the CYUSB3014-BZXC for operations with the I²C Master. Through this connection, the interface opens up the pathway for communicating with or connecting to the other slave I²C devices.

3. SPI Interface

This is the larger hub for more bit-sized transactions. Based on the Serial Peripherals Port, the SPI Master Interface can process transaction sizes up to 32 bits.

Worthy of mentioning is that it also supports a couple of other modes, most especially the Start-Stop Lock.

4. Watchdog Timer

Watchdog timers are in place to monitor the performances of Microcontrollers (MCUs). CYUSB3014-BZXC uses a 32-kHz watchdog timer clock input, which plays a relevant role in regulating the MCU and monitoring the overall performance.

For example, the timer runs on a 32-kHz clock, which may also be supplied via an external source on a dedicated FX3 pin.

In terms of the sleep mode, the watchdog timer automates the waking of the FZ-USB FX3 when on a Standby Mode.

The watchdog timer can also perform other functions, such as interrupting and resetting the ARM926EJ-S core.

5. Maximum Power Performance

CYUSB3014-BZXC derives the power performances from different peripherals. There are the I²C operation at the 1.2-volt to the 3.3-volt levels, and a combination of the UART, SPI and I2C power operations running between the 1.8-volt and 3.3-volt regions. That is for the independent power domains for both the Input and Output (I/O) pins and the core.

On the other hand, we have the low-power options facilitated via the less than 60 µA with VBATT on. It also offers the low-power through the 20 µA with VBATT off.

The SuperSpeed Explorer Board

CYUSB3014-BZXC also supports the SuperSpeed Explorer Board; a board dedicated to the rapid prototyping of the applications.

The components of the board include but are not limited to:

6. CPLD Board

This board is used to test the concept or design, before starting the initial phases of the board’s development.

7. Adapter Boards

These are dedicated boards meant for the development of Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) and Xilinx circuit boards.

8. Adapter Board

CYUSB3014-BZXC also has another adapter board, but this time, it is to be used for video development.

What You Need to Know about CYUSB3014-BZXC’s Low-Power Modes

The low-power modes used here are essentially designed to reduce the power consumption on this microcontroller. To do that effectively, the manufacturer incorporated several low-power modes, with each functioning differently.

Here are some of the low-power modes and how they contribute to CYUSB3014-BZXC’s low-power consumption:

9. Core Power Down Mode

Also called the L4 power mode, the Core Power Down Mode is where the “core” of CYUSB3014-BZXC’s power lies. Here, individual activation and deactivation (turning on and off) of the different power modes is activated.

Note that when the core power down mode is active, the combination of the Program RAM, buffer memory and configuration registers wouldn’t maintain their original states.

To reactivate these respective states, the firmware must be reloaded as soon as the Core Power Down Mode is turned off.

10. Suspend Mode

This low-power mode works with the USB 3.0 PHY Enablement. It works by allowing the I/Os to maintain their previous states, but on the condition that the other power modes (with the exception of the wakeup source) must be turned on and off, as the case might be.

Although the original states of the internal RAM, configuration registers, and the buffer memory are maintained; the pending register configurations must be completed. This is because the activation of the Suspend Mode might wipe off the current data or configurations in the registers.

But when these configurations are saved, the FX3 can safely enter the Suspend Mode.

11. Standby Mode

In the Standby Mode, CYUSB3014-BZXC protects the configurations of the data RAM content and that of the previous register settings.

However, it doesn’t guarantee a preservation of the configurations in the respective data paths. That is why it is imperative to read and store the data paths’ information before putting the CYUSB3014-BZXC Microcontroller in the Standby Mode.

Final Thoughts

CYUSB3014-BZXC is a specified Microcontroller, delegated for use when configuring specific applications. Therefore, maximize the attributes by considering the different power modes before using.